Rural Areas Flashcards
What parts of farming have changed significantly over the last 50 years?
- preparing the land for crop growing, ploughing, seeding and harvesting
- tending livestock
- transporting produce to market
- maintenance of equipment
- using artificial drainage and irrigation
- using labour and machinery on the farm
State some examples of modern developments in farming in developed countries.
New technology, diversification, government policy, organic farming and genetically modified crops.
Explain the advantages of new technology in farming in developed countries.
- increases crop yield, as work is done faster and more efficiently
- crops are harvested quicker so arrive at market fresher resulting in better profit for the farmer
- the use of sprinkler systems allow crops to be grown in areas where seasonal droughts occur
- less money is spent on wages
- GPS’ and GIS’ can be used for things like farm planning, field mapping, soil sampling and tractor guidance meaning more precise application of pesticides, herbicides and fertilisers, reducing expenses and producing a higher crop yield
- gps allow farmers to work in conditions of low visibility
- chemical fertilisers and pesticides increase crop yield and allow crops to be grown on poorer lands
Explain the disadvantages of new technology on farming in developed countries.
- increases unemployment of agricultural workers which has lead to rural depopulation as people leave the countryside to look for work elsewhere
- machinery is expensive and some farmers cannot afford to buy or repair items so try either amalgamate with other farms creating huge farmers, or they sell up causing smaller, family farmers to disappear
- machinery is noisy and creates air pollution
- chemical fertilisers pesticides have an adverse affect on the environment as they can be washed out into rivers affecting the habitat and the water supply
- there is increasing evidence to suggest that certain pesticides have had a devastating impact on native bee population and as key plant pollinators this is worrying.
What is meant by diversification in farming?
Diversification is the generation of an income through non-farming activities. In order to reduce costs and increase the profitability of farms, farmers have increasingly added new non-farming land uses to farmers.
State some examples of diversification in farming in developed countries.
- areas of farms now used for golf courses or bike/rally tracks
- cottages once occupied by farm workers are now used for holiday homes
- areas have been set out for camping and caravan sites
- some farmhouses offer bed and breakfast
State some advantages of diversification in developed countries.
- increased tourism increases farmers profit, leading to a higher standard of living
- employment is created in rural areas, helping to reduce depopulation
State some disadvantages of diversification in developed countries.
- most tourists arrive by car creating traffic congestion on the narrow roads
- tourists park across farmers’ gates, restricting access to fields and park on grass verges, causing damage to plants
- they climb over walls causing damage which costs the farmers time and money to repair
- larger numbers of tourists produce more litter and noise pollution
- caravan sites can affect the scenic beauty of an area
State some advantages of Government Policies on farming in developed countries.
- output has increased
- poorer agricultural areas have been paid grants by the EU to help farmer modernise
State a disadvantage of Government Policies in developed countries.
- increased output has lead to huge surpluses of produce
What is the aim of Government Policies on farming in developed countries.
The aim is support and develop British farming, to encourage sustainable food production, protect the environment and improve standards of animal welfare.
Countryside Stewardship (CS) provides financial incentives for farmer/ land owners to look after their environment. State some examples of this.
- conserving and restoring wildlife habitats
- flood-risk management
- woodland creation and management
- reducing widespread water pollution from agriculture
- maintaining the character of the countryside
- preserving features important to the history of the rural landscape
- encouraging educational access
What is organic farming?
Organic farming means producing crops without the use of artificial chemicals like pesticides and fertilisers and with the highest standards of animal care.
State some advantages of organic farming in developed countries.
- organic farmers work with nature using natural techniques and by-products such as animal manure to grow crops
- animals are reared without the routine use of drugs and antibiotics meaning a safer environment that encourages insects and wildlife
- ## little water pollution as there is no chemicals to run into streams and rivers
State some disadvantages of organic farming in developed countries.
- it requires a greater effort and is therefore more demanding and time-consuming for farmers
- since crop production is on a much smaller scale, the amount of crop produced is less
- output is lower due to not using chemical fertilisers
- the cost of producing organic food is higher so the price paid by customers is also higher
